And there it was again… That familiar time, well not really a time, but a state. The feeling of having been up for too long, without much to show for it. No, I’m not going out drinking and regretting it (anymore). What I have been doing a bit too frequently is staying up playing video games! It’s a case of one more turn, one more turn, oops it’s two o’clock in the morning and I had planned to wake up at 6:00…
So I’m testing out a new experiment: I’m quitting video games until the end of March. As an added obstacle I’ve uninstalled them all from my computer. I’m hoping this experiment will give me back some structure to work on my big goals, but also liberate some time to read more, instead of just opting for computer games as my default “non-productive” activity. As a smaller goal, I’m indeed aiming to read 52 books this year!
It might seem like a lot, but I shared a post on finding time to read that you could find interesting. Incorporating reading into a morning routine and reducing our reliance on digital devices are both ways of getting to read more books.
So without further ado, here are the books I am reading this quarter (January – March), and possibly into next quarter if I don’t finish them all!
(Please note that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. This means that if you buy something that I recommend, I might get a small commission, which supports my work at no cost to you.)
Run the World: My 3,500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around the Globe by Becky Wade
This is a brilliant, inspiring book that I’ve already finished, but that I’m sure I’ll revisit one day. If you’re into running and/or travelling, you’ll love Becky Wade’s account of spending a year experiencing the various running cultures around the world.
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks
This is also a book I’ve already finished. I’m a bit on the fence about this one. I think some of the insights about how we sabotage ourselves are very helpful, but some bits also read as a bit stereotypically “self-helpy woowoo”. I’m starting to wonder: do I prefer practical books / personal development books written by women? Please share in the comments if you find the latter more relatable too!
No Meat Athlete: Run on Plants and Discover your fittest, fastest, happiest self by Matt Frazier & Matt Ruscigno
This book was given to me by my fiancΓ© at Christmas (who cleverly knows where to look). I love the No Meat Athlete Radio podcast and the book didn’t disappoint either! Whether you’re veg-curious or trying to getting into shape and accomplish great things fitness-wise, this is a book to check out!
Participant Observation: A Guide for Fieldworkers by Kathleen & Billie DeWalt
One of my PhD supervisors kindly lent me this book and I am planning on finishing it this week so that I can hand it back to her before heading back out on fieldwork.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This is part of my efforts to improve my Portuguese. I’ll be writing a blog post about learning languages soon – subscribe by entering your email in the right hand column to make sure you don’t miss it!
Constructing grounded theory by Kathy Charmaz
This is another book I am reading in the context of my PhD research, to help make sense of the interviews I’ve conducted. If you’re a researcher too, say hi in the comments below!
Finding Sisu: In search of courage, strength and happiness the Finnish way by Katja Pantzar
Finding Sisu is part of the We Are Wildness Book Club. The concept of sisu is mentioned in the great Run the World book mentioned earlier. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into the Finnish approach to wellbeing and grit.
The Incomplete Book of Running by Peter Sagal
The Incomplete Book of Running was the Runner’s Bookshelf book for January and I’m still planning on checking it out. Yes, there are a few running books here – I find reading them helps fuel my determination to accomplish my big goals for the year.
Outrunning the Demons: Lives Transformed through Running by Phil Hewitt
In a similar vein, I am planning on checking out the Runner’s Bookshelf’s book for February: Outrunning the Demons. It deals with some heavy issues, but will probably be quite inspiring!
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado
This one is recommended in the Travel Book as a Brazilian classic. I hope it will help me get back in the spirit before I head back to Brazil in March.
The Prehistory of the Mind: A Search for the Origins of Art, Religion and Science by Steven Mithen
I think I found this book in a charity shop and I’m glad I did. Learning about how we developed what essentially makes us human sounds fascinating!
The Act of Holding on and Letting Go by Kristen Bartley Lenz
Another one from the We Are Wildness book club. I have no idea what to expect, but I’ll hopefully be enjoying this one outside!
How To Get A Phd: A Handbook For Students And Their Supervisors by Estelle Phillips & Derek Pugh
Self-explanatory: I’m reading this in case I need a bit of a kick in the pants with regards to my PhD progress. I’m sure it’s common, but I’m in my second year and I still feel like I’m figuring out this whole PhD “thing”.
The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write, edited by Sabrina Mahfouz
A bit different from the other books here (namely as the topic doesn’t relate to my big goals), this book is a recommendation from Emma Watson’s feminist book club.
The One Year Chronological Bible
I started reading this a year ago, but got a bit late over the summer and couldn’t find it ahead of my fieldwork in Rio. I’m now reading the New Testament, and planning to finish it before heading back on fieldwork, as it’s a bit bulky to pack.
The One-Stop Bible Guide by Mike Beaumont
This guide offers background information and images to help understand and bring to life what I’m reading in the chronological Bible.
Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples by Linda Tuhiwai Smith
I’ve been reading this as preparation for a weekly reading discussion group at my university. It’s definitely worth reading if you’re involved in any kind of research!
The Lonely Planet Story: Once While Travelling by Tony & Maureen Wheeler
I love the Lonely Planet books, so when I spotted this in a charity shop I knew I had to get it! This is another one I want to read before heading off to fieldwork as it’s quite bulky.
Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho
Another book to work on my Portuguese language skills!
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge) by Linda Akeson McGurk
This will be a useful reminder for the UK winter weather, but also for the Brazilian heat and rain.
The Personal MBA: A World-Class Business Education in a Single Volume by Josh Kaufman
I saw an elegant woman reading this next to me on a plane and it piqued my interest. It looks quite hefty, so wish me luck!
Bonus: other books from the We Are Wildness Book Club
I don’t think it would be fair to the We Are Wildness people for me to list them all here – so if you’re curious about outdoorsy books check out their website.
So there you have it, all the books on my (Kindle) bookshelf this quarter! If you liked this post, please:
- Share what you’re planning to read this quarter in the comments;
- Share this blog post with your book loving friends or on social media;
- Join the brand new Living the Goodenough Life Community to discuss books and more!
